Completed Challenge 7# - I'm a Teacher...

Day in 3 words? Fear. Stench. Adrenaline.

We finally completed our I'm A Teacher Get Me Out Of Here event at my work. I was totally humbled by the amount of students that attended and then humbled all over again by donations of both time and money from staff. We made over £100 which is enough to pay for vital first assessments for 2 deafblind children. The difference that would make to their lives is phenomenal.

I was so busy organising the event I forgot how terrified I would be until I didn't sleep and was standing in front of over 70 eager faces trying not to cry. I'm very proud of myself and the rest of the team today and the adrenaline is still flowing. As countless people have said to me today it just shows what you can overcome when you're doing it for someone else.

Thank you to everybody that helped me overcome a fear and make a difference.

Remember you can visit my page to support this or any other challenge. www.justgiving.com/30before30sense

Some montage photos below of the event!

Challenge 9# - Sensory Walk for Seniors!

This challenge has come through my mum and dad and is a very pleasant one. They are part of a walking group and have nominated me to run a walk in the summer incorporating a rare meadow near my house. It is a challenge for me as though I walk my dog on a regular basis we trot along at our own pace without a care in the world.

For this challenge I need to plan an interesting, engaging and appropriate walk for others. I will also be inviting the ramblers into my home and asking for donations for refeshments. As someone who doesn't drink tea and coffee; I also need to hone my domestic skills! Thankfully I have until August the 5th and am hoping for a bit of sensory sunshine too.

To support this or any other challenge please donate at www.justgiving.com/30before30sense

Completed Challenge 5# - Healthy Eating

Phew! Won't pretend I didn't find this one hard. As you can see from the photo below the amount of calories I have consumed today differs greatly from the February diet. Plus that's even with a little exercise knocking some off!

It has taught me some things though: 1) I can do it. I know it sounds lame but I have attempted to give up foods or eat healthily in the past and never succeeded. 2) The motivation of doing it for charity goes a long way, when my will power wavered I remembered my reason behind it. 3) I am a picky eater and associate a lot of my feelings with food. When I'd had a good day or was glad to get in my smaller clothes I was fully on board. When I was tired and grouchy I really struggled.

Ultimately I have all my senses to make food decisions and cannot imagine eating food I can't see, that I don't know the name of and no-one is describing to me. So don't donate for my whingeing or the pig out I had today. Donate for those who live a far more challenging life than me and never complain.

Remember you can donate to support this or nominate your own challenge at www.justgiving.com/30before30sense

Completed Challenge 1# - Toddler Time!

Well...hats off to parents, grandparents, nursery staff and anyone else who spends a lot of time with toddlers. It was hardcore! Despite several attempts to wear her out it was me that ended up exhausted. We played every game possible, I got too stuck into Mr Tumble and missed her drawing on the table, went to the playmill, the farm and had one major projectile vomiting incident. It was hilarious, heartwarming, exhausting and frustrating all rolled into one.

I kept reminding myself how easy I had it in comparison with parents of a child with any kind of disability. Everyone's advice was to have a few glasses of wine and stock up on the chocolate. I didn't plan it too well coinciding it with the healthy eating challenge!

So thank you for the donations, 1 completely down, 8 days left on the health kick (not that I'm counting). But remember there are plenty more challenges to go! You can nominate your own or donate to support this or any other challenge at www.justgiving.com/30before30sense

Challenge 8# Teach The World To Sign!

This will be a long term ongoing challenge but for me a very important one. I was givine it by lovely sister in law Sinead to teach her but I'm extending it to any one who is interested. I'm just in the process of learning sign language myself and currently studying for level 1. It's something I massively enjoy and I am very passionate about encouraging other people to communicate with those who are deaf or hearing impaired.

I'm going to be running a taster signing session at my work for staff and students. This will be an hour long class teaching the basics of finger spelling and numbers. All participants will receive a certificate that can be used to enhance CV's or professional development and they will make a small donation to join the class.

I am happy to run other sessions for individuals or groups of people again for a small donation so please email me if you're interested (rachbuckley30@gmail.com).

Remember you can donate to support this or any other challenge through my just giving page www.justgiving.com/30before30sense

Challenge 7# I'm A Teacher Get Me Out Of Here!

This is a scary one for me! But it combines some spider related challenges I've had and raises sensory awareness. This one takes place at my work with a range of very supportive staff members. There is a competitive element where staff have to put their hand in a tarantula cage for as long as they can cope, bob for apples in smelly water and eat as many extreme sour sweets as they can. We are raising additional money by charging students and other staff to observe our torture.

Sense have kindly donated balloons, leaflets and posters so that I can also use it as an opportunity to educate the students about the kind of work that Sense does.

Although it's a short one it may be one of my hardest challenges as I've always had a major spider phobia. I'm hoping going for the biggest spider I can may get rid of this - failing that I know my mentor group will get a kick out of watching me squeal!

Remember you can donate to support this or any other challenge through my just giving page www.justgiving.com/30before30sense or by texting SENS84 plus the amount to 70070

Challenge 6# - Life Drawing

This challenge is hilarious to me and totally unexpected. It's courtesy of my friend Jen who has kindly offered to support by coming along too. The premise is that I attend a life drawing class and show the products of my work on here. The catch? I can't draw - to the point where my special needs class constantly laugh at me. The other catch? I'm what you might call a tad prudish - to the point where my family ridicule me and people genuinely stop conversations for my benefit.

So for me this is absolutely a challenge and another chance to raise awareness of our use of the senses. I'm hoping due to being hearing impaired I'll have a fine eye for detail - you'll see the fruits of my labour soon!

Don't forget you can donate to support this or any other challenge on my just giving page www.justgiving.com/30before30sense